Desertification in Inner Mongolia, China - in pictures

Inner Mongolia, China's third largest province, is battling severe desertification. Over-grazing, logging, expanding farms and population pressure, as well as droughts, have turned once fertile grasslands into sandy plains. As part of China's efforts to stop the land degradation, NGOs have been helping with reforestation

Mongolian ethnic minority farmer Mrs Gao carries poplar tree saplings for planting. Poplars are chosen because they are drought-hardy and effective at storing carbon, as well as being suitable for the local soil and climate

Volunteers from Shanghai Roots and Shoots dig holes for tree saplings. They help local farmers plant trees on plots allocated by the government, where the farmers are licensed to harvest the trees that have reached maturity, but only if they replant on the same plot